The first line of defense for macular degeneration is awareness. A simple test
of your vision will alert you to any changes that may indicate a problem with
macular degeneration or a worsening of your condition. This common test is
known as the Amsler Grid.

An Amsler grid is a useful tool for monitoring your central visual field. It is
an important way to detect early and sometimes subtle visual changes in a
variety of macular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and
diabetic macular edema. It is also helpful in monitoring changes in vision once
they have been detected. With the Amsler grid, each eye is tested separately by
you. This helps you to recognize visual symptoms which are in one eye only.
Amsler grids can be obtained from your eyecare practitioner

Instructions for using the Amsler grid

Instructions for using the amsler grid as following:

Test your vision with adequate lighting.

Wear your reading glasses or look through the reading portion of your bifocals
(if you normally read with spectacles).

Hold the Amsler grid at normal reading distance (about 14 inches).

Cover one eye at a time with the palm of your hand.

Stare at the center dot of the chart at all times.

Do not let your eye drift from the center dot.

amsler grid graph for (central vision) daily self-
assessment:

Ask yourself the following questions as you check each eye
separately:

1. Are any of the lines crooked or bent?
2. Are any of the boxes different in size or shape from the others?
3. Are any of the lines wavy, missing, blurry, or discolored?
(Note: If using a rectangular card like this, you should check each eye with
the card held both vertically and horizontally.)

Assessment Summary:-
If the answer to any of these questions is "yes" (and this is a new
finding for you), you should contact your doctor immediately for an examination
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Sometimes these changes may mean that there is leakage or bleeding in the back
of the eye causing swelling of the retina.